Description

ATEasy is a test executive and a rapid application development framework for functional test, ATE, data acquisition, process control, and instrumentation systems. ATEasy provides all the necessary tools to develop, deploy and maintain software components - including instrument drivers, test programs, and user interfaces, as well as a complete and customizable test executive. It is designed to support and simplify ATE system applications with long product life cycles. With ATEasy, test applications are faster to generate and easier to maintain.

For OEM suppliers of test systems, ATEasy-Lite offers a cost-effective, full-featured, test executive and test development software suite that can be bundled with the supplier's ATE systems. ATEasy- Lite includes ATEasy’s test executive driver but only supports two non-OEM drivers. Additionally, ATEasy-Lite does not offer “.exe” file generation capability. Licensing is software based, with the OEM’s hardware providing the license key. Note that the OEM hardware must always be connected for use with this version of ATEasy. ATEasy-Lite can be upgraded to ATEasy with the purchase of an upgrade option.

To learn more about ATEasy click on the other ATEasy tabs/pages in this section or check out the Tutorials/Videos page.

ATEasy IDE (Integrated Development Environment)

ATEasy includes a complete test development suite and a test executive specifically designed for test applications. The ATEasy development environment combines the ease of Microsoft Visual Basic and the flexibility of Microsoft's Visual C++, object-oriented, Windows programming environment.

Awards

Why Use ATEasy?

ATEasy provides the test engineer with a multitude of benefits, including:

Re-usability and ScalabilityThe ATEasy framework provides users with the ability to create re-usable software components such as instrument drivers, system components and test programs. These components can be reused from system to system reducing the overall cost of creating and maintaining an application.

Test ExecutiveATEasy provides a royalty free Test Executive. User group customization and assignments of privileges is easily done with little or no programming. All the tools to execute, create datalogs, and debug your tests are included. Additional modules are included that provide test sequencing and fault analysis.

Short Learning CurveATEasy provides a familiar graphical user interface that allows Microsoft Visual Basic™ or Visual C++™ users to feel right at home. First time users can use the Application Wizard to generate applications quickly. The ATEasy application framework and modular structure offer placeholders for your code reducing the learning curve.

Rapid Application Development (RAD)ATEasy offers reduced program development cycles for coding, executing and debugging of your code. During debugging, ATEasy's Just-In-Time compiler compiles only the necessary code as required, supporting fast development cycles. ATEasy allows you to write several lines of code, highlight them and then click on the DoIt! button - allowing the execution of only the highlighted code without running the complete application.

Fast and Easy ProgrammingApplications can be created via menu commands or by typing. Commands can be combined with ATEasy language statements such as if, repeat, etc. When typing, ATEasy's code completion tools provide suggestions for completing the unfinished statements, and an integrated code verification utility, CheckIt! provides immediate code verification for syntax errors. Application wizards help you create a framework for your test application and ATEasy's modular structure allows engineers to partition, organize, locate and re-use the test code. A built-in code browser offers immediate access to symbols such as functions or variable definitions. The ATEasy internal library includes many classes and functions providing support for your software components such as drivers, tests, forms and controls, and for basic operations such as math, string manipulation, communication, etc.

Multi threading SupportATEasy provides full support for the Windows multi threading model, which allows users to execute multiple code segments simultaneously. Synchronizing objects such as semaphores and events allows users to synchronize thread execution to protect your application resources from re-entrance. ATEasy’s robust multi threading model lets users use any user-interface objects and ActiveX controls from any thread without any special programming, unlike other conventional programming environments.

Instrument IndependenceThanks to ATEasy’s exclusive Instrument Interchangeability Technology (I2T), test engineers can easily define plain language driver commands for instruments types such as a DMM, ARB, etc. The commands can be implemented differently for different instruments of the same type. Commands can be linked to DLLs, ATEasy procedures, etc. For test programs, these commands are independent of the implementation, and interface type (GPIB, VXI, etc). Consequently, when instruments need to be replaced, a new instrument driver may be used while the test programs remain unchanged.

Test and Source Level DebuggerThe ATEasy debugger provides the features found in conventional software development tools such as; Step In, Step Out, Step Over, Breakpoints, Run to Cursor, Set the Next Statement to run, and more. You can create and watch variables and expression values, execute code in a debug window, view a call stack , and view a running thread. In addition, ATEasy includes test level debugging tools allowing you to select and run tests, loop on tests, skip tests, pause on a failed test, and repeat a test.

The resulting test code resembles a Test Requirement Document (TRD), which is easy to understand and is instrument independent. System and Program level commands allows further abstraction of your test system and the unit under test:

ATEasy Test Executive

ATEasy is provided with a royalty-free test executive that can be deployed on any number of test systems. Once the test executive is inserted to your project, your application has a complete test executive user interface that allows selecting and running a test program, debugging, viewing and printing test logs. Typically ATEasy tests are written with the ATEasy language however you can extend ATEasy's functionality and execute any external code or library including .NET assemblies, DLLs, LabWindows/CVi or function panels functions, LabView VIs and more. Plug-in modules can also be added to the test executive for added functionality.

ATEasy Test Executive

Customization and User Interface

ATEasy's test executive architecture is easy to customize. Using the Customize window the user can change the test executive layout, menus, toolbars, touch panel interface, options and more. Programming commands can further extend this capability. Multiple users and user groups enhance customization and provide a way for the administrator to limit the test executive's features for certain users across the network.

Profile and Test Sequences

A plug-in Profile module can be used by the test executive allowing the user to create, save and run test seqences. A Profile editor is provided to create the test sequence and set the actions between tests and tasks (group of tests) as required based on the test results.

Fault Analysis

A plug-in Fault Analysis module can be inserted into your project providing a powerful troubleshooting tool to debug and fix the UUT. The Fault Analysis module analyzes your test results and recommends to the opeartor how to fix the UUT based on test conditions set met by the test results. A Conditions editor is provided to create the test result patterens and required repair action(s).

ATEasy Framework

ATEasy's development environment is modeled after typical ATE applications. The development environment includes modules in a hierarchical and layered structure as shown in the tree view. Engineers can use the pre-defined structure as a template to partition and develop a test program. During debugging, integration, or maintenance, this modular structure simplifies the process by isolating problems. First time users can use the Application Wizard to generate applications quickly. Application framework components are displayed in an easy-to-browse tree view that serves as a basis for the application specific components.

ATEasy Application Wizard

ATEasy Modules

An ATEasy application is created from a project file that lists the application modules files, which are modeled after real-life test systems. These modules allow test engineers to quickly prototype, design, and modify test systems. ATEasy provides three types of modules:

Program Module: The Program Module is UUT specific. The Program module contains the necessary tests required to test a UUT. The Program Module follows the guidelines of a Test Requirement Document (TRD) or Test Plan and is divided into Tasks and Tests sub-modules. ATEasy Workspace Block Diagram System Module: The System Module is Test system specific. The System module contains the hardware configuration of a given test system. It reflects the currently installed instruments. For example: A GPIB instrument driver configuration includes its address, terminator, etc. Driver Module: The Driver Module is Instrument specific;. The Driver module contains the commands and functions that are required to operate an instrument as well as the interfaces it supports (for example, GPIB, RS232, etc).

ATEasy's Tree Structure

ATEasy Sub-Modules

Task/Test Sub-Module: The Program module contains the necessary tests required to test a UUT. A Task sub-module includes a group of Test sub-modules, which test a block cicuitry or logical unit of the Unit Under Test. Each Test sub-module contains code and various properties such as its Name, Type, Pin, Unit, Result, Status and More. Various test types are built in such as Min-Max, where the result must fall within a required Minimum and Maximum value. The test code is responsible of taking measurements and assigning it to a Test Result, an internal ATEasy variable. When the test code is executed, the TestResult will be used to calculate the test status: Pass or Fail and together with the test information the test log will be automatically generated.

Commands Sub-Module: ATEasy’s "command sub-modules" are under the Driver, System, and Program modules. ATEasy’s exclusive Test Engineering Language (TEL) is the individual user-defined commands (see figure shown) in the command sub-modules. Calling attached procedures (DLLs or user-defined functions), the TEL commands appear in cascading menus in the ATEasy menu bar. The users can easily insert them into Test sub-modules instead of entering manually.

Other Sub-Modules: System, Driver, and Program modules contain additional "sub-modules", serving as containers for objects such as Forms, Commands, Events, Procedures, Variables, Types, and Library. The test code is "partitioned" into the appropriate sub-modules depending on whether it is UUT specific (Program), system specific (System), or instrument specific (Driver).

ATEasy Workspace Window

Graphical User Interface (GUI) Programming

ATEasy’s Form Editor is very similar to Microsoft's Visual Basic form editor - providing a powerfull and feature rich GUI programming environment for constructing interactive instrument control and test program status / control. Like Visual Basic, ATEasy provides similar sets of forms, types, menus, controls, and event programming. In addition, ATEasy’s forms can accommodate hundreds of ActiveX controls and components from third party vendors.

Form Editor Window

Source Control Integration

ATEasy provides seamless integration with various source and version control providers such as Microsoft's Source Safe, Team Foundation Server, Git, Subversion and more - providing a robust configuration management environment for managing test programs. You can Check In, Check Out, or Add Files directly from ATEasy to your source control repository. You can even compare and merge different versions of any ATEasy file to see what, when, where, and by whom files were modified.

Cyber Security Features

ATEasy Executable and DLL can be encrypted providing a way to maintain integrity, preventing modifying (non-repudiation), reverse engineering, or PCode viewing. In addition, the ATEasy run-time provides protection against calls stack parameters mismatch and buffer overrun protection after external DLL call. ATEasy source files when saved to binary format can be also encrypted to protect against changes and verify file integrity. Program, System and Drivers files can be password or license protected to limit access to using, viewing or changing the file. Automatic versions records to the source files time and the user making the changes allowing you to track changes beyond using file date.

Instrument Drivers

In addition to the provided ATEasy instruments drivers, ATEasy provides IVI drivers for all the available IVI classes. ATEasy also supports thousands of VXI Plug-and-Play, Function Panel (.fp files) instrument drivers from vendors such as Agilent Technologies and National Instruments. Using the File Open Command, engineers can open a Function Panel file (.fp) and convert it to an ATEasy driver format (.drv). ATEasy generates a command tree, procedures, DLL function calls, constants and data types as defined in the function panel file and its accompanying C/C++ header file. You can also use LabView drivers since ATEasy can call VI (VI or LLB files). In addition, ATEasy provides various tools to support rapid creation and debugging of instrument drivers.

ATEasy Import Function Panel Wizard

Rapid Driver Development

If none of the above driver formats are available, ATEasy allows engineers to rapidly modify an existing driver or develop new ones. With DLL-based drivers, engineers can easily import existing DLL functions (using C header files or manual methods). .NET or ActiveX/COM based drivers can also be imported and used to create a driver almost instantly. With message-based instrument interfaces such as GPIB, Serial (RS-232), VXI, USB and LXI (TCP/IP). ATEasy uses a simple mechanism called I/O Tables for sending and receiving instrument commands. I/O tables allow ATEasy drivers to be independent of the instrument interface and manufacturer so that one driver can be used with an instrument that supports multiple interfaces (e.g. GPIB and RS232).

Instrument Independence

Thanks to ATEasy’s exclusive Instrument Interchangeability Technology (I2T), test engineers can easily define plain language driver commands. These commands seperate the driver interface used in your test program from the implementation of the driver that uses IO tables, DLLs or any other external library or software component. Within the test program, these commands are independent of the instructions, DLL procedures, and interface type. Consequently, when instruments need to be replaced, a new instrument driver may be used while the test program(s) remains unchanged.

Introduction to ATEasy - Recorded WebinarIn this video we introduce ATEasy's features and benefits. We describe the ATEasy framework and structure, demonstrate the test executive, and create a test application.

1 Hour and 8 Minutes

Dale Johnson, Manager, CTS Group

ATEasy and LabView IntegrationIn this video we show how to integrate LabView code (VI) with an ATEasy application.

ATEasy X

ATEasy version X or 10.0 contains numerous enhancements to the test development environment, run-time and test executive. The following list describes the main changes in this version:

Much Faster Run-Time – up to 10x faster in benchmark tests.

New .Net Controls Support – import and integrate external, widely-available .Net controls and use the new Properties Grid Window to set control properties for more efficient test development and expanded test program capabilities

New collaboration tools including Compare and Merge functionality for files and folders

New Code Editor for editing files in text format inside the IDE

Embed Run-Time – Deploy your test application with the exact run-time you used to test your ATEasy application as a single executable or DLL

Use the new Test Log Template to quickly filter test results by status or by test result and limits

~100% backward compatible, with EXEs, DLLs compiled with older versions, and prior version source files, install side by side with older version of ATEasy

Expanded IDE Capabilities

New Folder Compare Tool

New ATEasy Merge Tool

New Edit/View in Text Format inside the IDE with Syntax Highlighting

Updated Text Files Format for .pgt, .syt and .drt files, to include Base 64 encoded for images and binary data. This allows the use of the text files without using the binary files (.frx) for improved merging, text editing and source control (.frx files are still generated for backward compatibility)

New support for .Net Controls and new Properties Grid Window used to display and set .Net and ActiveX control properties

ATEasy X is ~100% backward compatible with prior ATEasy versions; no change in ATEasy file format since v6.0. Forward compatibility is provided for version 6.0-9.0 (unless new features are used). EXE and DLL compiled with older versions of ATEasy can be used with ATEasy X run-time.

HW v4.9.2 (Marvin Test Solutions PCI/PXI explorer and hardware access driver) is included in this release to support VISA, multiple PXI chassis, USB and more. More information is available in the Program Files folder (Program Files\Marvin Test Solutions\HW\ReadMe.txt.)

What's New in Version 9.0

Hardware and software Simulation is now built into ATEasy. Develop, run, debug and analyze your application on your desktop with no or partial hardware using the new ATEasy 9 simulation. Any existing driver, system or program can be simulated. No source code changes are required for existing modules to support simulation.

Side by Side Installation. ATEasy 9 development environment and run-time is installed next to your existing older ATEasy version. You can keep your existing drivers and files and you can use both the development environment and run-time at the same time. Compiled applications will use the matched run-time version or the newest version if not available.

Find and Replace dialog boxes support Type, ID and Value when searching and replacing. The dialog boxes contain Find All (new) and Replace All buttons displaying results in new Log Window tabs named Find All and Replace All. The new tabs display links to all text searched and replaced allowing you to revisit the text by clicking on the links.

Unicode support throughout the development environment including the Properties window and text/code editor, commands and form editors, find and replace and more. Unicode text is saved to ATEasy file (binary or text) in UTF-8 to support backward and forward compatibility.

Additional Source Control providers are supported including Microsoft Source Safe, Microsoft Team Foundation Server, Subversion, CVS, Git and more. The Source Control page in the ATEasy Options dialog box that lets users define any command line source control provider. Document shortcuts have a source control path to designate individual paths for each shortcut.

Predefined Path Variables provide dynamic path use throughout the development environment, including the Tool menu customization, document and library shortcuts and source control.

Automatic variable prefix and type, Variable type can be automatically set when typing a variable name with a prefix. Changing a variable type can set the variable prefix as well.

Support for LabVIEW 2013, 2014, and .NET 4.5

IDE improvements include command to enable or disable all breakpoints, command to close all windows but this, tool tip to show document file path, document tab modification status (*), revised startup dialog includes sortable columns and sizable dialog, new Tools menu to open the PXI/PCI Explorer, enum value auto increment and more.

ATEasy 9 is ~100% backward compatible with prior ATEasy versions, no change in ATEasy file format. Forward compatibility is provided for version 4.0-8.0 (unless new features are used). EXE and DLL compiled with older versions of ATEasy can be used with 9.x run-time.

Availability: ATEasy 9.0 preview is available for download from this website. Subscribed users can retrieve their upgrade id license code from their M@GIC account via the Licensing tab.

What's New in Version 8.0

Here are some of the new features included in ATEasy 8.0:

Test Multiple UUTs in Sequential, Parallel or Mixed mode

Support synchronize access to resources and tests for parallel execution

New examples for TCL and PERL based tests (StdIoProcess), Multiple UUTs (parallel and sequential testing) and Process Diagnostics (detects handles, memory and thread leaks). New Drivers.

For a complete list of new features and changes, see the ATEasy 8 on-line help download.

What's New in Version 7.0

ATEasy version 7.0 contains numerous enhancements to the test development environment, run-time and Test Executive. The following list describes the main changes in this version.

Development Environment

ATEasy DLL - ATEasy supports creating a DLL using ATEasy code. A new Library Wizard creates a Library DLL project. Export commands allows generating .vb/.h header files with prototypes of the functions exported by the DLL so they can be called from C or Visual Basic languages.

Threads Window - A new debug window for debugging a multi-threaded application is available. You can use the Threads window to view thread information, a call stack and local variables.

Batch Build - A new command is available that displays the Batch Build dialog, allowing you to select multiple workspace projects for build. The selected projects are saved to the workspace file.

Back/Forward navigation commands - New View menu commands are available that use the history of windows and symbols viewed and allows you to navigate between these symbols. Similar to Internet Explorer, a drop down history lists all symbols viewed in the ATEasy session.

New Log file format: Web Archive Single File format (.mht) is available in File Open as well as in ALog's Save and SaveAs methods for Log files.

ATML support - New functions are available to export and import ATEasy test results and test descriptions in ATML format (.xml).

Support for LabVIEW v8.5, v8.6 (all versions from 7.0 to 8.6 are now supported) as well as enhanced support for .NET.

Support for USB driver interface - provides control of USB RAW or TMC devices using IO Tables or the internal library.

New IDE Workspace Option for default file saving - Binary and Text format saves in both file formats every time the user saves. Allows you to maintain an up to date text format that can be used by external tools such as a text editor or a source control application.

New IDE Options: Arguments for External Tools - a set of predefined variables that are available for External Tools arguments. The Customize Tools dialog has been modified to accept new arguments and their values, which are passed when the tools are launched.

New IDE Option: Auto Recover - this new option, when set, will cause ATEasy to save your work (modified files) every x minutes to a temporary location. When the workspace is loaded again after a system or any other failure, ATEasy will notify you of the modified files that are available for recovery.

New IDE command : Open Containing Folder - opens a folder in Windows Explorer which contains the selected file.

New ATEasy Development Environment automation server (Application) - provides access to some of the IDE functionality.

Run Time Engine

New LoadLibrary/UnloadLibrary statements for dynamic loading and unloading of DLL libraries while running.

New USB procedures provides control of USB RAW or USBTMC devices and support for USB driver interface.

New String tokenizer functions : Split, Join, Filter, Replace.

New Math functions - Min and Max returns the minimum or maximum value of two numbers.

New Misc function - GetCallerName used to retrieve the current or caller procedure name or test id.

Support for converting string to DateTime/Currency data types and vice versa.

New optional parameter added to CreateObject() : bFreeThreadingModel. Allows the user to specify the server's threading model to be Free, instead of the Apartment model.

Test Executive Enhancements

External Programs (EXE) Support - Unlike a typical project containing all programs, support for external programs allows you to create executables, each containing one (or more) programs, while still allowing all programs to be executed from the same user interface. The main benefit is support for modular test program development which allows adding programs to the test executive after the initial release of the application.

This application note discusses how a semiconductor manufacturer of Gas Sensors employed a focused test solution that provided the required accuracy, accommodated very large site counts, and matched the over-all throughput performance of high performance semiconductor test systems at a much lower cost.
Read more...

The manufacturing and test of avionics products for military and commercial aircraft presents a unique set of requirements and challenges. A common test platform and consolidation of test resources facilitates development and long-term support of complex, high-value assemblies.
Read more...

Tutorial to describe how the ATEasy integrated Source Control interface is used with Add, Check In, Check Out, Merge, Show History and other SVN functions. ATEasy supports two source control clients SCC API and a command line interface. In this example we are using the Subversion Tortoise command-line client. Other clients perform in a similar manner.
Read more...

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